Seems there is always a fresh drug en vogue; always something new to worry about and educate ourselves on, so we can look out for warning signs. The latest to hit the scene is called SoMe, and I know for a fact it is rampant in this town.

What you need to know about SoMe to protect your kids and yourself:

It has an extremely high addictive potential.

The initial high is described as feeling a sense of freedom, connection and empowerment.

Soon, repeated use leads to chronic feelings of anxiety and depression.

SoMe de-stimulates the part of the brain that controls self esteem and blocks the receptors that regulate confidence, resulting in a pervasive insecurity, even when not directly under the influence.

Academic, athletic and social performance begins to suffer.

Paranoia is often described by addicts, specifically having a belief everyone is watching and judging their every move.

Users typically lose interest in social activities, withdrawing from reality and immersing themselves in an imagined, far-fetched fantasy world.

This break from reality is accompanied by an obsession with one’s appearance, and a belief that being more attractive will escalate the high.

Like all drugs, repeated use leads to a tolerance to its desired effects, and users seek more and more hits, pointlessly chasing the initial high.

Suicide and violence have been reported as a direct result of SoMe’s use.

Addiction specialists report the most challenging aspects of controlling this drug’s spread are that it is legal, acceptable and is easily administered through visual cues.

How can you protect your children from this potentially devastating substance?

Talk to them about Social Media, its addictive potential, its theft of our ability to live in the moment, its fraudulent representation of life and the psychological damage it can cause. Help them understand the dangers lurking in an ongoing, consuming quest for Likes and Followers and the constant, yet fabricated comparisons. Encourage them to be present, to put down their phones and to accept SoMe for the fake news it can be.

Karen is a Family Physician, founder and president of Tips From Town. She loves combining all she learned as a doctor with all she continues to learn as a mom of five to bring you interesting, useful and fun information on the Family Pages.